The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 30, 2023

Fragment from Funeral Garment or Pall

before 1958

Iran

Silk: lampas weave, brocaded

Overall: 28.3 x 18.5 cm (11 1/8 x 7 5/16 in.)

Gift of Adolph Loewi 1958.131

Location

not on view

Description

A wide band of large-scale Kufic inscription repeating the first words from a diwan of poems attributed to the Caliph Ali is brocaded in blue on a tan ground. The inscription runs at right angles to the warp. Above is a narrow guilloche band. Both bands are defined by guard stripes.

Inscriptions

Inscription

ilahi ajirni min 'adhabika innani asir dhalil kha'if laka akhda'

Inscription Translation

My God, save me from Thy torment

Inscription Remark

This Kufic inscription is the first words from a diwan of poems attributed to the Caliph Ali

Provenance
Originally reported as having been found near Bibi Shahr Banu, near Rayy, Iran
?-1958
Adolph Loewi [1888-1977], Los Angeles, CA, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
1958-
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1958.131